Dentons' former UK Middle East and Africa (UKMEA) chief, Matthew Jones (pictured), is leaving the firm four months after stepping down from the role.

It is understood that a memo was sent to all staff at Dentons today saying that Jones will leave at the end of the week to pursue other interests.

London corporate partner Jeremy Cohen took up the position of UKMEA chief executive in March after Jones announced in February that he would not stand for re-election when his term ended the following month.

It was understood at the time that Jones would remain a partner at the firm and a member of the global board.

He has held the role for four years, leading the region through two combinations.

Jones held the post during the merger of SNR Denton, Salans and Fraser Milner Casgrain to form Dentons in 2013, and the firm's combination with Chinese firm Dacheng, which was announced at the start of the year.

In his role Jones oversaw the opening of the firm's inaugural South African office in Cape Town last year, and its second base in Johannesburg in February.